Ala Primae Pannoniorum Sabiniana

It is very likely that this unit was named after a former commander, one Sabinus, whose exact identity, however, remains unknown. The only epigraphic evidence on stone for this unit in Britain is a single tombstone at Halton Chesters (Hunnum / Onnum) on Hadrian’s Wall, which has been dated to the first half of the third century AD; they were stationed there for the remainder of Roman rule. Lead seals identifing the unit, from South Shields (Arbeia) and Corbridge (Corstopitum), were probably produced while the unit was at Halton Chesters (Hunnum / Onnum).

Evidence for the presence of Ala Primae Pannoniorum Sabiniana in Britain

  1. Burn 100; CIL XVI.65 military diploma dated: July 17th AD122.
  2. L’Année Épigraphique 1997.1779a diploma dated c. AD126.
  3. Onnum (Halton Chesters, Northumberland; RIB 1433; tombstone; 1st half of 3rd C. AD).
  4. ?Arbeia (South Shields, Tyne & Wear; RIB 2411.86; lead seal).
  5. ?Corstopitum (Corbridge, Northumberland; RIB 2411.87; lead seal).
  6. Onnum (Halton Chesters, Northumberland; Notitia Dignitatum xl.37; c. 4th/5th C. AD).